All of Norfolk's main health trusts have been given an unconditional licence to provide services under a new, tougher system for regulating standardsFrom Thursday, 381 NHS trusts in England will have to be registered with the Care Quality Commission by law to provide care.

All of Norfolk's main health trusts have been given an unconditional licence to provide services under a new, tougher system for regulating standards

From Thursday, 381 NHS trusts in England will have to be registered with the Care Quality Commission by law to provide care. To be registered, trusts must show they meet new essential standards of quality and safety, which the regulator will constantly monitor.

The new standards cover important issues for patients such as treating people with respect, involving them in decisions about care, keeping clinical areas clean, and ensuring services are safe.

Where it finds trusts are not meeting standards, the regulator has stronger enforcement powers than ever before. This can start with a warning notice and escalate to fines, prosecution, restrictions on activities or in extreme cases, closure.

Under the new system, trusts will be judged on the outcomes and experiences of patients, not just whether there are systems and processes in place.

Anna Dugdale, chief executive of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said: “Our staff are dedicated to providing high quality care that is safe and effective. We are delighted that the Care Quality Commission has recognised this by licensing our hospitals without conditions. We will continue to work hard to make sure our patients get the very best care.”

Other trusts include the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn and the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Trust.